Aug. 4 Public Health Update

Immunizations are for college students, too

In just a couple of weeks, college
campuses across the state will be hustling and bustling with new and returning
students.
Many of them will share dorm rooms,
all of them will find themselves in classrooms, coming in close contact with
many people – putting them at higher risk for exposure to vaccine preventable
diseases.
It is recommended (and in some cases,
required) that all incoming college students provide documentation of the
following immunizations:

In addition, Mesa County Health
Department recommends Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B immunizations.
Contact your health care provider or
Mesa County Health Department to ensure your immunizations are up-to-date
and/or to schedule an appointment.
Mesa County Health Department accepts
all insurances and has programs for those without insurance.
Call 970-248-6906 for more information
or to make an appointment.

Breastfeed for your health and the health of
your baby

Both mothers and babies see health
benefits from breastfeeding.
Mesa County Health Department has
educators and resources for moms who are ready to breastfeed.
Babies see both short-term and
long-term health benefits:

Breast milk is easy to digest and
contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral
infections.
Babies who are breastfed have lower
risks of asthma, childhood leukemia, ear infections, eczema, diarrhea and
vomiting, lower respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome and type 2
diabetes.

Mothers who breastfeed have a lower
risk of ovarian cancer, certain types of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Ready to get started?

Find a friend or family member who
will be a good support person.
Know your rights as a nursing mother.
Colorado law states that a mother may breastfeed in any place she has a right
to be, including work.
It’s normal to
find breastfeeding hard. If you are having problems breastfeeding, talk to your
health care provider, hospital staff or the Mesa County Health Department Women
Infants & Children program. Call (970) 248-6900 for more info.